Day Three started well, crossing into Serbia. I’m sure others have different strategies, but for me having landmarks and milestones helps with my motivation, and crossing a border counts as a milestone. It isn’t all good though – in this case it also came with a change of language (not that my Bulgarian was good enough to be much benefit) and a change of currency. Serbian currency is actually quite difficult to get outside of Serbia, so like many others I was relying on finding an ATM, or failing that people who would accept payment with card or Euro/Bulgarian Lev.
Day 2 – Bulgarian Heat
Riding strongly is an important part of winning TCR, but just as important if not more so is being efficient in everything you do. There are really only a few things that are important, and if you can do them all quickly and nothing else then you will be well ahead of most people.
Day 1 – the long version
Ok, my plan now is to do much more detailed write-ups and post them over the coming weeks. The fundraising has been going really well – thanks to contributions from a whole lot of wonderful people I have passed my goal, but I’ll keep it open here just in case anyone still wants a chance donate. Forgive me if these write-ups are too long, i had a lot of time to think on the bike!
Race day! It started perfectly – but that only lasted about 5 minutes. Many years ago I worked in Bulgaria, and had a great guy working with me who taught me a lot. In particular, there is an ancient Bulgarian saying that has been passed down from generation to generation, that this guy shared with me. I followed it for quite a while, but the night before had chosen to ignore it. I’m not sure if that was the cause, but it meant that in the hours before the race any spare fluids I had were rapidly exiting my body. The saying was “Don’t eat the small meat, Rowan”.
And finished!
Well, the short story is that I made it. I was nowhere near as fast as my original plan, but just completing the course is an achievement and to be honest I am satisfied – for now.
Days Seven & Eight: Small days but important
The last two days have had very small numbers, but been important and tough days. I’ve started having problems with a whole lot of different areas, but these two days have been about figuring out how to ride despite those problems. The good news Continue reading “Days Seven & Eight: Small days but important”
Day Six: Slovenia is beautiful
Today I’m in Slovenia (I should be in Italy). Slovenia is just beautiful. I’ve barely ridden today as I tried to work out a few little issues, but I’ve still enjoyed the day a lot, seeing just how beautiful the place is.
Anyway, I’m about 20km from Italy now and it seems there will be storms all night, and then all day tomorrow. I found a public camp area with a roof, so at least I’ll be dryish until I set out tomorrow!
Day Five: Croatia (Still…)
I’m still in Zagreb. I should have been in Slovenia by now, but got held up by everything today. Great day, great weather, roads, people, just not great riding. In a hotel now though, hiding from a thunderstorm, so going to hurry to bed!
Day Four: Serbia
It’s been another tough day, but workable. Still only 330km and around 1800m, and given the profile I really should have done more, but for now I’ve grabbed a hotel. I’m around 60km from Croatia so I should get there ok in the morning.
I managed to get through Belgrade, which honestly was a relief. As I sat at a roadside snack stand and adjusted my shoes this afternoon (which I hope is going to have a big impact) I watched three guys drive up, get themselves drinks (and no, I don’t mean a coke), down the drinks then get back in their respective cars and drive off it very much solidified in my mind that I like Serbia, but I don’t like the driving!
Anyway, Croatia tomorrow which I hope will be better!
My body is still mostly holding together – having banged my knee yesterday while performing a trick dismount it was feeling a bit tender today, but nothing extreme. I’ve got sore feet, which I hope I helped with that adjustment, a sore posterior, and pretty much everything else has the sort of general sore that comes with 18 hours a day being shaken about, followed by not enough sleep before repeating. Oh, and an impressive ring of blisters all the way around my leg from where my knicks rubbed. Other than that though, feeling pretty good. I think, when you allow for the fatigue, that I am actually to a small extent riding myself into shape, so if only it was a 12 month long event I might still be in with a shot to win.
Meanwhile, the fundraising is going very well and remains well ahead of the ride pace, thanks to some amazingly generous donations. Many thanks to all who have contributed, with every donation, big or small, being appreciated and going to a great cause.
Day 3 – not what I hoped for
On paper, 215Ikm with 1800m sounds like a pretty easy day. In practice, it was the toughest day I’ve had on the race so far. I knew the Parcours for CP2 was going to be tough, and off-road. I wasn’t delighted, but I knew it and accepted it. What I found though was terrible!
Sprinting like Caleb Ewan
I spent the last part of the day sprinting like Caleb Ewan – except that it was uphill, at 6km/h and about 80 watts.